Mental health care during the Covid-19 pandemic

It has been exactly 2 years since the world has been dealing with and living with the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has significantly affected and changed the lives of people around the world, and Vietnam is no exception. The epidemic not only causes loss of human life and physical health, but it also causes strong shocks to mental health as well as social health.

Patients attacked by the virus, experiencing the fragile boundary between life and death; families who have lost loved ones; medical staff, health workers, and frontline volunteers who have to work many times harder than normal; children who cannot go to school, study, or communicate with friends and teachers through phone and computer screens to comply with social distancing principles; workers who have lost their jobs and had their livelihoods cut short...

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Therefore, along with taking care of physical health, special attention must be paid to people's mental health.

To be able to take care of someone, the first thing we need to do is to recognize whether we, our loved ones, and those around us are suffering from mental disorders or not?

1.Common symptoms of mental disorders

• Feeling sad, anxious, scared or frustrated
• Difficulty controlling personal emotions, easily angered or crying
• Sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or insomnia)
• Change in appetite, increased appetite or loss of appetite
• Feeling a loss of energy, no longer interested in activities you once enjoyed
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Unexplained weight loss
• Physical reactions such as: Headaches, body aches, stomach aches and digestive problems
• Chronic diseases become more severe
• Existing mental health conditions worsen
• Increased use of tobacco, alcohol and other stimulants

It is also important to identify the causes of mental health disorders during the pandemic so that appropriate care can be planned.

2. Some causes of mental health disorders during the pandemic

• Anxiety about the epidemic
• Mental crisis due to loss of loved ones
• The mortality rate is high and death comes very quickly and suddenly to the patient.
• Job loss and reduced income
• Loss and reduction of communication, isolation due to quarantine, social distancing
• Stigma and discrimination
• Work pressure is too stressful
• Children and young people who cannot go to school must learn online.
• Lonely old man
• Using the internet a lot, being exposed to many conflicting sources of information..
• Increased substance use has also led to increased violence and abuse.

So what do we need to do to take care of our mental health?

3. Solution

3.1. Status update

Always listen to advice and recommendations from competent organizations such as WHO, CDC, Ministry of Health. Follow reliable news channels such as Ministry of Health Portal, official newspapers such as Vn Express.....

3.2. Maintain healthy habits:

Try to maintain daily activities, practice more good habits. Exercise every day, especially meditation and yoga are very good for your mood; Eat on time, do not skip meals and eat consciously (be aware of what and how much you eat); try to go to bed and wake up on time every day, get enough sleep from 7 to 9 hours depending on your body's needs; Maintain personal hygiene; Distribute work and rest time reasonably. Arrange time to do things you like.

3.3. Reduce negative information

Try to reduce the amount of information you watch, read, or listen to that makes you feel anxious or sad. News about COVID-19 is constantly updated in newspapers and social media, sometimes making you feel anxious, scared, and stressed. Especially news about the number of infections and deaths increasing every day. Limit your exposure to this news by choosing a time of day to check COVID-19 information and then not reading any more information.

3.4. Always think positively

At the end of each day write down 3 things you feel grateful and lucky for.

Talking about your fears and worries to a friend who will listen can help you feel less miserable.

Please understand that every day, besides the new cases and deaths, there are also many, many people who are healthy and recovering from the disease.

When faced with a difficult situation, accept it and focus on what you can improve and change.

3.5. Limit the use of stimulants

Limit your alcohol intake as much as possible. There is no evidence that alcohol can protect you from the virus. In fact, alcohol can actually increase your chances of getting the virus by making you less likely to follow recommended protective measures and by worsening your treatment outcomes.

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3.6. Increase social contact in different forms

Social distancing and quarantine for COVID-19 treatment have made our mood worse. In addition to fear of the epidemic, the feeling of loneliness and isolation has increased significantly. But fortunately, we now have many ways to connect with each other besides meeting in person.

Connect with others via phone or social media

Regularly chat with older family members via phone, messaging apps, social networks

People who are being quarantined or treated for COVID-19 should stay connected with loved ones to ensure psychological stability.

Connect with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or someone you trust to talk about the negative feelings you're having.

3.7. How to use electronic devices for connection and entertainment

TV: Be mindful of the time you spend sitting in front of a screen each day, get up and do some physical activity regularly.

Playing video games: Playing video games is a form of entertainment, but during the time at home, the time spent playing video games can increase more than usual. Therefore, find a balance to maintain a reasonable daily routine.

Social media: use social media to support positive stories and speak out against misinformation.

3.8. Help people

Help others however you can.

The way we treat others can affect their mental health and ours. During a pandemic, when many people are vulnerable, we need to be kinder.

Be kind and don't discriminate against people infected with COVID – 19

Do not discriminate against medical staff or people participating in the fight against the epidemic just because they have high-risk factors.

Don't label a group of people as being infected with COVID-19

If you know someone who is sad, worried and desperate, talk to them and listen to them.

3.9. Non-discrimination

Fear is a normal reaction in this situation. However, sometimes the way we express fear can hurt others. Do not discriminate against others because of your fear of COVID-19. Do not discriminate against healthcare workers because they deserve respect and gratitude.

3.10. Support for medical staff

Sending thanks and encouragement to healthcare workers and those involved in the fight against COVID-19.

3.11. If you are a parent

During this stressful time, children need extra attention from you. Talk to your children about Covid-19 honestly and in a language they can understand. Support their home learning and keep play and study time separate.

Help your child express feelings, such as fear or boredom. Do creative activities such as drawing or playing games. Make sure your child does not spend too much time in front of the screen and has time to engage in other activities such as painting, baking, singing, etc. Try not to let your child play too many video games.

3.12. If you are an adult

Stay in regular contact with friends and family. Maintain a regular routine of eating, sleeping, and activities you enjoy. Do simple exercises to help maintain your health. Ask for help from family, friends, or neighbors if you need it.

3.13. If you have mental health problems

If you are receiving mental health treatment, make sure you continue to take your medication as prescribed and that you have a way to stock up on it. If you are receiving support from a mental health professional, find a way to continue with that support during this pandemic.

If you are being treated for other chronic conditions:

When your mood gets bad, you tend to neglect treatment for medical conditions or health problems such as chronic illness or depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders.

If you have a chronic illness, keep taking your medication and have regular check-ups.

If you have difficulty in making a direct follow-up appointment, please contact your doctor by phone for timely assistance.

You need to understand that current health problems are just as serious as COVID – 19 if left untreated.

Not all of us are able to maintain our physical and mental health. Some people can overcome it easily, others cannot. It is not a sign of weakness or helplessness. Sometimes these feelings cannot be resolved by thinking or willpower alone and must be treated with medication and other therapies. When negative moods persist for more than 2 weeks without any signs of improvement, you need to seek medical attention.

MSc. Hoang Thi Van - Lecturer, Faculty of Nursing, Dai Nam University

REFERENCES

1. Decision No. 2057/QD-BYT dated May 14, 2020 on promulgating the professional document "Guidelines for mental health care during the COVID-19 epidemic"
2. https://www.who.int/vietnam/vi/emergencies/covid-19-in-vietnam/information/mental-health
3. https://suckhoedoisong.vn/dai-dich-covid-lam-gia-tang-dang-ke-cac-roi-loan-tam-than-169211008095556574.htm
4. https://umcclinic.com.vn/covid-19-anh-huong-den-suc-khoe-tam-than-cua-ban-nhu-the-nao